Collapsible vehicle



July 10, 1945., T R, BLACK 2,380,016

COLLAPSIBLE VEHICLE Filed Dec. 4,-- 1942 2 Sheeis-Sheefr. 1

1 i Y O 24 E NTOR Z N 6 25 THEODAR? BLACK 6 ATTORNEY the trailer is described in detail.

Patented July 16, 1945 UNITED .s'rAT S P TEN- assaors Q i oo LArsmLE when- 1 i H Theodore R. Black, :rippoity om L A plication Dec m r 4,separatist.461,886

? rases. (of. 280-334) This invention relates to .a collapsible vehicle and moreparticularly to a collapsibletrailer adapted to be connected with and towed by. an automobile.w

Many persons owning; automobiles have occasional use for attrailer butjare deterred from. ac-

quiring one by-the large amount of garage sp required to house the same, and the primaryiobjectof the invention is to provide a trailerwhich can be collapsed or folded into a compact; form in which it will occupy only a relatively small space. i a i NA further object crime. invention is to provide.

a strongand durablejcollapsible trailer ofsimple construction ,vvhichcan be manufactured at a relativelylow cost. if 1 1-: Afurther.object of the invention isito provide such a trailer in which the wheels will be opera-- tive when in their collapsed position, to facilitate the movement of the collapsed trailer from-place toplace. i f ,v i t A further object of the invention is to provide such a trailer havingsimple but efiicientxmeans for retaining the wheels inpositions parallel onewith the other and with theline of travel when. the trailer is in its normal. extended ositioni".

A further object of the invention is to provide such a trailer having. the wheels mounted 'on separate rigid frames which are movable one toward the other. i i Other objects of the invention may appear as the cables and the tongue; and Fig. 12 is tion taken on the line I2--l2 ofFig. 11.

a In thesedrawingsI have illustrated a preferred form of;the invention and haveshown the same as embodied in a light duty trailer adapted to be towed by an automobile, but it is to be understood that the'invention may take various forms, that many features] thereof. may be embodied in collap'sible vehicles other-than trailers andthat the vehiclepma'y be adapted. for heavy duty by increasing the strength of, the .various parts there-w ofywithout departingfrom the spirit1of the lnvention. i

the

frame lllaarr'anged between the wheelunits and supported thereon by. transverse connecting Inthe accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is aplan view, partly broken away, of a; trailer embodying my invention, showing the same in its extended condition; Fig. 2 is a side -elevationof such'a trailer; Fig. 3 is a section takenon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing thelmain structurein front elevation; Fig; 4 is a top plan View showing'the trailer inits collapsed condition; Fig." 5 is an end elevation of the collapsedtrailer Fig-6 is ase'ctional detail of the pivotal connection between the intermediate frame and one of the'connecting members, taken on line 6-6 ofFig. 1; Fig. 7

is a sectional detail view showing the pivotalconnection between one of. the connecting members and the wheel unit, taken on the linefil- -l of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a detail view of oneof the upright members of the frame of a wheel unit; Fig.9 is, a detail view showing the means for mounting the; -1

' wheel on the frame of the wheelunit; Fig. lQ is a detail view showing the connection betweenone.

of the cables andthe wheel unit; Fig. 11 isatop p a iew of th ad us ble c n ct qa twe' n on the "collapsible structure in any suitable man ner but preferably there 'is provided a load support or body; a part or parts of which may be removed" whenfthe structure is to be collapsed.

\ I'he intermediate frame I I may be of any suitable constructionand ashere shown it comprises two longitudinal members l3 spaced vertically one from theother and rigidly connected one with the other by transverse members I4 spaced apart lengthwiseofthe frame. Preferably thelongitudinal members" l3 are in the form of rods, and the transverse members H comprise plates through which the rods extend andto which they are rigidly secured, as byweldingi Each transverse member extends laterally beyond both side tof the" longitudinal members I3 and is provided at its upper andlower [edges with flanges 15, see Fig. 6. The wheel units'maytakevarious forms but preferably eachuriit comprises a rigid structure, or framefparallel with the intermediate frame, and a wheel mounted on said structure.

In the illustrated construction the framed the a Wheel unit comprises two longitudinal members, such as rods IBQspaced laterally one fromthe other to receive the'wheel between them and rigidly connected one .withthe other by upright members I] located respectively in front of and behind the wheel and through which the rods. extendandto which they are secured, as by T OFFICE embodiment here illustrated the trailer. comprises two'wheelvunits' l0 and a longitudinal i welding. When the trailer is designed for heavy duty it may be desirable to reinforce the frame by mounting an upper rod Ilia in the upright members I! above each rod l6, and depressing the intermediate portion of the rod 16a and welding.

or otherwise rigidly securing the same to rod IS. The wheel 18 is arranged between the two frame members [6 and may be mounted thereon in any suitable manner. In the present instance brackets or clips I 9, Fig. 9, are rigidly secured to the respective frame members l6 and are provided at their lower ends with openings in which is The clamping member is drawn tightly against the cables and rigidly connected with the rigid member by means of a screw or bolt 29, thereby mounted the axle of the wheel. Each upright member I! is provided on its inner sideand adj a cent its lower end with inwardly extending and vertically spaced flanges 2| and 2; which gonsti tute pivot lugs and in me present instance com firmly locking the cables in their adjusted positions.

The load supporting structure is here shown in the form of a body comprising side members 30 if desired, have at its upper edge an outwardly e gtending flange 32. The floor 33 of the body is supported by the flanges 3| of the two side memprise the end portions of transverse'fla-nges carried by and extending inwardly beyond the up,- right member. The flanged ends of each conncting member I2 extend respectively between the flanges [5 of one of the transverse members of the intermediate frame and between the flanges 2| and 2 2 of an upright member ofthe frame of the corresponding wheel unit. The flanges ofthe respective members are pivotally connected one to the other and, in the present instance, a single pivot pin 23 at each end of each connecting member pivotally connects the same with the in,- termeriate frame and the wheel unit frame, and these connection's'are made at corresponding. dis.-. tances so thatthe. several pivoted members form similar parallelograms on opposite sides of the intermediate frame. Thus the wheel units may be moved forwardly and. inwardly to positions close tothe respective sides of the intermediate frame II and the. wheels will be maintained parallel with the intermediate frame in all posi-. tions of the wheel units with relation thereto. In the present construction each wheel unit is connected with the intermediate frameby tWOl connecting members as this provides a better support for. the intermediate, frame. but the use, of two connecting members foreach Wheel unit is, not essential. l

. Suitable means are provided for so limiting'the. rearward movement of the wheel units with ICr! lation to the intermediate frame that they will be prevented from movingv rearwaxfdl DQYOBG; their. fully extended positions. .A,. draft, member.

oritongue 24 isconected with an extends forwar'dly from the intermediate, frame H. and; thepreferred construction the two memloers of; the intermediate frame are extended forwardly beyond the Wheel units, to form; the tongue and their forward ends arerigidlyconnected one with the. other and provided witha coupl n member 25 whereby they may be connectedwith thetowe ingv vehicle. 'The means forlimiting the rear:

et w h e w r r on e gingves h tfi embrace the upper portions of the cables 26.

bers andfits snugly between those side membersso that it tends to retain the two wheel units in their extended positions. This floor is-rernovable and preferably comprises two floor boards which are connected one to the other at their adjacent edges by hinges 34 and are provided with fingerholes 35, to facilitate their insertion and removal. The floor boards are also supported on the upper flanges l5 of the transverse members of the intermediate frame and on a block 36 rigidly secured to the intermediate frame beneath the abutting edges of the two boards. Each side. member'of the body'is also provided at its respective ends with vertical guideways 36a in which are removably supported the front and rearend members 31' and 38 of the body. Detachable fastening devices may, if desired, be provided for securing the floor boards and the ,front and rear end members of the body to the side members thereofbut I have not found this necessary; in practice. v

When the trailer is to be collapsed the end members 31 and 38. and: the floor 33 are removed and the wheel units are pushed forwardly with relation to the intermediate frame and are the wheel units in their: folded: positions While the collapsed trailer is in storage or is being moved from; place to place. An suitable means may be provided for this purp se and. in the res nt.

instanc I havesccunedto th t ngue 2 a. pair o sp in clips 39 arran ed. in the pa hs r the s de memb rs ofthebody. as the latter move to the rfnll tonespositi s. T iesemcmbersare de ess d; b the ide members and sp ng into; en a ement wi h the on sur est fat t e side mem ers ha e asse -Y r t e. t

S; eleasa ly retainin the tructu e a. Who e in t f lded co d t o l sare ali qrm i 1.- normally rev n the o e and ntermed a e frame. fr m movin rear ardly with relation to.

he he lun tsgwhen he-trailer is d tachedfrom. th owineveh cl ,andisheine.p s ed earw dly by the tongue. This mean may, take various forms and as here shown comprises a cable 40 connected at its ends with the front upright members of the wheel units, the two portions of the cable converging rearwardly and being connecte d'with the rear portion of the intermediate frame. Preferably thecable extends through an.

eye-bolt! I, the shank of whicl' passes througha lug 42 on the rear'transverse member I 4. "Anut 43 is niounted on the rear 'end of theboltftoem able the cable to bedrawn taut and ispreferably provided with a hand grip to facilitatefits opera: tion When the trailer is to-be' eonapsed the bolt, is removed from" the mg to release the: cable and shownas aslot opened; its lowerendw reya) It will be apparent from the'foregoing' description thatI have provided a trailer, which can'be quickly and easily foldedtofits collapsed cpndi tion or extended to its operative condition, which in both conditions is movably= supported; on the wheels, which has ample strength to support the intendedload and'which canbe' produced at a relativelylowcostu movement lengthwise of and to'wa'rd the latter;

said meanscomprising rigid members; connected P for movement about verticalfaxes and connected spective side frames, means for eonnecting said side frames with said interniediateframe for at-their inner ends with said intermediate" frame at their outer endsvvith the respective side frames for movement aboutvertical axes, means "toner mally retain said side frames in their extended I positions, said side frameshavin'g meansfwhereby I force to propel saidvehicle, two side frames sube' stantially parallel with and spaced laterallyfrom Whil I have shown and describedoriejembodiment of my invention I wish it to bfeunderstood that I do not desireto be limited to the details thereof asv'arious modifications may occur to la person skilledin theart. I Having now fullyfdes'cribed my invention; what I claim as new and desire to'secure Letters intermediate frame constitutingapropelling ele- I ment; separate wheelunits spaced laterally from the respective sides of said intermediateframe and constituting the sole support therefon latei ally"extending connecting member on the respective sides, of "said intermediate frame! having a load; sup orting structure i may; e wmeuntee thereon. I 5. In acollapsible vehicleia longitudina mediate frame adapted for the application of I the respective sides 3 of I said" intermediate; Traine ,wheels mounted on the respective side frames) means for connectingsaid side frames withsaid intermediate frame for movement with relationthereto into collapsed positions andcompr'isin'g two pairs of rigid members arranged respectively in front ,of and in the rea-r ofthe axes-fe t said 3 wheels, the members of each pair being connected withsaid intermediate frame and with the re spective sideframes for =moveinentabout vertical I 1 axes, and means for preventing the relativemove at their inner ends pivotalfsupport'mg connection I with said frame aridhaving their outer ends piv otally connected with and supported by the respective wheelunits, said pivotalconnections being onsubstantiallyvertical axes topermitsaid ment of said 1 connecting members while 1;u"opelling forceis being applied to said intermediate frame. I

6. In a collapsible vehicleg alongitudinal intermediate frame, two side frames substantially parallel with and spaced laterally from the re spective sides of said intermediateaframegivheels mounted on the respective side frames; means for I connecting saidfsidefranies with said intermediate frame for movementwith relation thereto wheel units to move longitudinallyof andtoivard said intermediate frame to] collapsed positions,

and means forretaining said wheel units in fixed spaced relation to saidframe while saidvehicleis I being propclledby said frame.

, 2. In a collapsible vehicle, a longitudinal intermediate frameQwheelfunits on opposite sides of and spaced from said frame, connectin memjbers having at theirinner, ends pivotal connection with said frame and having their outer ends piv lapsed'positions; I, v, s V n 3. In a collapsiblefvehicle, 'a longitudinal' 1ntermediate frame, side frames substantially par euei with andspacedfrom the respective sides of said intermediate frame, wheelslmounted on the respective side frames, means for connecting said side frames withsaid intermediate frame for movementfllengthwise of and toward thelatter, said means comprising rigidmembers'connected into collapsed positions and comprisingtwo pairs of rigid imembers arranged respectively in front of and in. the rearof the anesofsaid'wheelsQthe members of each pair being connected with said intermediate frame and with the respective side frames for movementaboutvertical axes, means for normally retaining said side members in ex-i 9 tended positions, and a load supportin structure including parts mounted on the respective side frames for movement therewith to oollapsedposiunits and havinga partextending forwardly be-, t yond said wheel units for connection with a towing vehicle,means for connectingflsaid wheel tive wheel units for movement therewith to colat their inner ends with lsaidintermediate frame I for movement about vertical axes and connected at their outer ends with the respective sideframes" I for movement about vertical axes, andj means to normally retain saidside frames in their extended positions. I

j" 4. In a collapsible :vehicle, alongitudinalinterm dia e ame d ram s ub a ll pa al l v with and sba'ce'dfrbmtherespectivesides or said" g '7. In a collapsible trailer, two parallel 'wheel', units spaced laterally one; from the other, 'an in-Q termediate frame arranged: between, said wheel:

units with said intermediate frame for forward movement with relation thereto into positions close to said forwardly extending part thereof and including alined. connecting members pivotally mounted on said intermediate frame, extending opposite directions I therefrom and pivotally connected at their outer ends with the respective Wheel units, means for normally retaining said connecting members in substantial alinement;

and a load supporting structure comprising relatively movable parts mounted on the respective ,wheelunits for movementtherewith I I I 8. In a collapsiblevehiclaan intermediate longitudinal frame, wheelunitson the respective sides of and'spaced fromsaid intermediate frame, each unit including laterallyspaced frame members rigidly connected one with the other and a wheel arranged between and mounted on said frame members, connecting members? I pivotally connected with f the corresponding wheel units 1 near the respective endsiof the latter and pivot- I intermediateframe, wheels mounted on the re ally con ec edwith said intermediatetrame. and means for -;-no,rma1l P eventing the; rearward movement ofi s aid wheel unitsr withprelatiorn to. said:intermediateframe- I 9,. In .a collapsible vehicle-, an intermediate Ion gitudinal frame including vertically spaced;longi-. tudinal members. and tore and-.- aft. members. each rigidly securedito. both; longitudinal; members, wheel units. spaced from therespe tive sides or said intermediate frame and. each including, a rigid. structureextending lengthwise of said; in. termediate fra me,- and. a. wheel mounted thereon. two pairs of rigid connecting members pivotally@ connected respectively? with the, fore; and aft members of; said intermediate, traine the. meme bers. of each pair extending; in opnositedireotions from said.intermediatE- frameaand the.coi'xncctin members on each sideof-said intermediata frame.- being pivotally connected: with, the rigidstructure of the corres onding: w e 1 unit and, meansfor normally preventing the rearward movement. of; aid elnits with? e ion; toysaid intetmedie ateframe. l

. 10. In a collapsible vehicle an intermediate longitudinal frameincluding atransverse. mama er rig-id therewith. and hav ng. unnery and: lo rflanges, wheel, units, eachv com-prising; a rigid structure having inwardly; extending: upper and;

lower flanges, members. connecting said. wheel.-

units with said intermediate frame; each, cone necting member having at its ends upper, and; lower flanges extendin v between, the; flanges, of said: transverse member ofsaid; intermediate f nd f hB QIY' DO di i' h Q un t-nivdt pi s; e nd n through; a d. flan s; at the. r f

p tivei ends of: s id: nn ct ng mber.-, and: mea s t r a y pr vent: the rearward1mor mentof said wheel units withirelation to said in, rmedi te framei. I a 1-1. In a ccllapsibler vehicle, an; intermediate; Longitudinal frame wheel-units,- spaoed; from: the; respective sides of saida in ermediate frameanda h ompr naa fram xtendingql n thwise 0t s id"; n erme iatezframeandaawheekmountedxon:

t e. las mentio ed: fram m mbers nne tin said wh el: units. with said ntermediate; f ame; each connecting: member; being pivotally con. nected': at its respective; endswith saidiintermedi, ate frame and with the frame of the corresponds-r ins wheel unit, a d alioad suppor ing structure comprising. sidez. members; secllmdz to) hee fram sofathe resneqtivewheelg units; andsamovahlafioon fitting; snugly between said; sidemembers and; tending: to prevent the movement, of; said; Wheel units-withzrelation tosaid intermcdiataifname.

.1-2. In a. collapsiblevehiclci. n; intermedia e longitudinal frame, .wheel- .units spaced; from. the. respective sidesof saidintcrmediate. rameand, ach comprising: a; framemxtcnd ngz cn thwidfi: I? said intermediate frame and; aiwheel .mountedi n the last; mentioned frama. ma chers mmeo ins; said wh el; nits with; said. intermediate. frame; each connecting; member; being pivotaliy con nected at itsirespective ends;with:.s.aid nterim. eate-frame andrwithithe: frame-of;- therc ri'cspond ing 1 wheel: unit, a load; supporting, structure camel prising side members secured to thetframes 0f: the respective Wheel" units; and-a movable floor fittingsnugly' between said-side-'membe1'sand; tending to prevent the movement of said wheel ifiiln. a collapsible.vehicle.) an. intermediate 75,

.- ingwheel. unit, a. load supporting; struetnreoomprising side,- members rigidly securedto, the, frames of. the; respectiwel wheelx units a floonIreI- movablyr supported between; said: side members, and front.- andrear end, membersiremoyably supi-l li i d by:- saidside.-members, a. tongue. extending; forwardly from said intermediate frame;, and.

means for conn cting the respective, wheelgunit's With'saidtonguei 1 k. In. a collapsible; vehicle; anintermediate longitudinal, frama, wheel. units spaced from the respective sides of saidlintermediate. frameand,

each comprising a frame extending lengthwiselofl said intermediate. frameand; a. wheelimounted; on th last mentioned; frame;. members connecting;- said wheel units with said intermediate frames each connecting member being pivotalljgl'connectedatits respective. ends. withrsaid intermcdi ate; frame and with the f rams; of theloorresponde- .ing Wheel unit,- a load. supporting, structure, com-g prising side members, rigidlysecured to... the;

' frames of the respective. wheel. units havin inwardly extending. parts adjacent thelower' edges. thereof; andivertical gllidewaysuadiacent the. ends. thereof, a floor removablyr supportedrby saidLin-I wardly extending;parts,.and'v end members remove longitudinal" frame, wheellunitsisnaced; from tlder 7.0. units with relation to said-intermediate;frame;

ing; forwardly. fromsaid intermediate. frame, I and; means. for; connecting. saidiwheellunitsi with said tongue. v f

15; In. a collapsible. vehicle,- an intermediate longitudinal. frama. wheel; units. spacedlfitom the.

respective sides of said interme'diat gframeand) each comprising a frameextending; lengthwise, of saidtintermedia'te frame anda.wheelmountedon.

,. the. lastmentioned' frame; members connecting said wheel units with said. intermediate frame; each connecting member; being 'pivota'llymone' nected at its. respective, ends. with saidintermedi tending. forwardly: from. saidjint'ermediate frame;

and; means for. connecting said? wheel units with" the. fonward... portion. of." said. tongue to limit" the rearward movement of; said Wheel unitsgwith re lationdiosaidlintelimediat frame.

1.6.,Ihgai collapsible. vehicle, an intermediate respective sides of said"interm'ediateiiframe and eaohr'comprising, a frame extending ,lengtl'iwisemf' saidintermediateframe.and-1a wheelimollfitdwn the, last mentioned frame. members" connectin said .wheel) units. with said intermediate. frame;- each connecting: member being, pivotallycomnected, at. its .resnectiveends ,with. saidinternredi ate: frame :an'd..,with .the frame; ofl'tl'ie 'c'or'resporld ing wneeLunit, .a tongue. c'onnect'edwitli I and? ex: tending forwardly. from. saidl'interine'diate-frame;

flexible members connecting the respective wheel.

units withtthe forward; O ftioni of said tongue: and... means. for adjusting; said." flexible- "members? andsecuring the same inadjnstedpositions; 17. In a collapsible vehicle, an intermediate: longitudinalframe, ,wheeLunits. spa'eed'froni the respectivas'ides ofi sjaiclfintermediateij and each QQIlllQliihEgaifi'Miextciifing.

saidintermediate frame and a wheel mounted on the last mentioned frame, members connecting said wheel units with said intermediate frame,

each connecting member being pivotally con-. nected at its respective ends with said intermedi-;

ate frame and with the frame of the corresponding wheel unit, a tongue connected withand extending forwardly from said intermediate frame. flexible members connecting the respective wheel units with the forward portion of said tongue,

and means for adjustably connectin said flexible members with said tongue including a fixed part lapse said vehicle, means to limit the rearward movement of said wheel units with relation. to saidframe when said vehicle is in its extended condition, a body comprising side members connected with the respective wheel unitsfOr movementtherewith, a floor and end members arranged between said side members and remov .able to permit said wheel units to movetoward each other, a tongue connected with said frame andtextending forwardly beyond said body, and springs clips carried by said tongue and arranged to engage said sidemembers and retain the same and a clamping part to receive portions of said i flexible members between them, one of said parts having forwardly converging grooves to embrace said portions of said flexible members, and means for securing said clamping part in clamping en- 1 gagement with said flexible members.

18. In a collapsible vehicle, an intermediate longitudinal frame, wheel units spaced from the respective sides of saidintermediate frame and each comprising a frame extending lengthwise of said intermediate frame and a wheel mounted on the last mentioned frame, members connecting said wheel units with said intermediate frame, each connecting member bein pivotally connected atits respective ends with said intermediate frame and with the frame of the correspond- 1 ing wheel unit, means for normally preventing so relation to said intermediate frame, and other the rearward movement of said wheel units with 'each connecting member being pivotally connected at its respective ends with said intermediate frame and with the frame of the corresponding wheel unit, means for normally preventing the rearward movement of said wheel units with relation to said intermediate frame, and a flexible device comprising members connected withthe forward portions of said wheel units, converging rearwardly therefrom and connected with the rear portion of said intermediate frame,

20. Ina collapsible vehicle, an intermediate longitudinal frame, wheel units spacedfrom the respective sides of said frame, members pivotally connected with saidframe and with the respective wheel units for movement about vertical axes in their collapsed positions.

21. In a collapsible vehicle, an intermediate frame, wheel units on the respective sides of said intermediate frame, each wheel unit comprising transverse end members connected with the intermediate frame for movement about vertical axes and held against vertical movement with relation thereto, laterally spaced longitudinal members rigidly connected adjacent their ends with said transverse members, and a wheel arranged between and rotatably supported by said longi-.

tudinal members. a

22. In a collapsible vehicle of the character described, a wheel unit comprising laterally spaced longitudinal members, transverse end members rigidly connected with said longitudinal members and extending upwardly therefrom, a wheel arranged between and rotatably supportedby said longitudinal members, and means rigidly con nected with the upper portions of said end members and with the respective longitudinal members to reinforce the latter. i

231 In a collapsible vehicle of the character described, a wheel unit comprising laterally spaced longitudinal members, transverse end members rigidly connected with said longitudinal members a and having parts extending upwardly from said members, laterally spaced longitudinal members 1 rigidly connected with said end members, means to permit said wheel units to be moved forwardly and. inwardly with relation to said frame to collongitudinal members to form supports for a ve hicle body, and a wheel arranged between and rotatably supported by said longitudinal mem-. bers, both longitudinal members being of a length greater than the diameter of said wheel. 24. In a collapsible vehicle of the character described, a wheel unit comprising transverse end carried by said longitudinal members for supporting a wheel between the same, and other longitudinal members rigidly connected with saidend members above the respective first mentioned longitudinal members and having their intermediate portions depressed and rigidly secured to the respective first mentioned 1 longitudinal members. i

THEODORE R. BLACK. 

